MAN CHARGED FOR POINTING A GUN AT A WILLIAMSPORT WOMAN

A man from Pittsburgh is in custody after he threatened a Williamsport woman with a handgun on January 10^th at Franklin and Hughes Streets in the city.  According to the Sun Gazette, police say 35 year old Derrek Patrick Johnson wanted to kill his victim after holding her responsible for a previous incarceration in 2010, but she managed to flee from him and contact police.  Johnson faces new charges of aggravated and simple assault and terroristic threats and is in the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of 75 thousand dollars bail.

SHOP-VAC SUIT SETTLED

A settlement has been reached in the case between a former Shop-Vac employee and GreatStar Tools USA, the company who bought Shop-Vac’s assets after they shut down cutting over 400 workers in September of 2020.  According to PennLive, details of the settlement between Candice Gair with the company now known as the SV Wind-Down Corp and the defendant were not disclosed, but last week attorneys for Gair, who originally accused the company of violating the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act asked the court to dismiss Shop-Vac from the suit.

POTENTIAL PLASTICS RECYCLING PLANT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING

A Houston, Texas company is proposing to invest more than a billion dollars in a plastics recycling manufacturing company that would be located in Point Township along the Susquehanna River near Danville and Northumberland, and they are seeking public comment about it this spring.  According to North Central PA dot com, the recycling company called Encina would ship in plastics from landfills and facilities and convert them into new products.  But even though former Governor Tom Wolf exempted Encina’s solid waste permits since it was advanced recycling and not waste management, there are challenges in court about future environmental concerns.  Information about the public meeting this May 11^th is online at encina point township.com.

DAM REHAB PROJECT TO BE DISCUSSED

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have announced that two public meetings are scheduled soon to discuss a planned dam rehabilitation project at Walker Lake, Snyder County.  According to the Game commission, the public is invited to the Snyder County Conservation District office located at 10541 Route 522 in Middleburg on Wednesday, March 1^st, for a meeting at 2 pm or one at 6 pm. To find out more about the meetings and to find out how to connect to them virtually find the information on the Walker Lake page at Fishandboat.com.

WOMAN STABS MAN IN THE HAND

Police were called to an apartment on Church Street in Shamokin Saturday for a domestic disturbance that sent a woman to jail.  According to the News-Item, witnesses called 911 after the unnamed woman created a disturbance and allegedly stabbed a man in the hand around 6pm.  Shamokin police say residents in the apartment held the woman in a closed room in the apartment until Shamokin police arrived.  More information will be released after charges are filed with the magistrate this week. The injured man did not require hospitalization.

MAN ACCUSED OF SELLING STOLEN WIRE

A Beavertown man who worked at Ritz-Craft in Mifflinburg has been accused of selling wire taken from the company on Facebook Marketplace.  According to North Central PA dot com, police say 33 year old Jeff Wells, whose legal name is Muhammad Geoffrey Wells Biniskandar, sold the wire to a buyer who suspected it to be taken from the company and contacted management, who confirmed the match to products at the plant.  Police interviewed Wells about the theft who admitted selling the wire but wouldn’t discose who stole it.   Wells was charged with receiving stolen property and has a preliminary hearing March 14^th in district court.

COURTS IN SEVERAL PARKS TO GET UPGRADE

The finances have been approved by Williamsport City Council this week for several athletic facilities and courts in Williamsport, and a contractor in Mill Hall has been tapped to do the work.  According to the Sun Gazette, the over 858 thousand dollar contract with RC Bowman combines Community Development Block Grant funds and American Rescue Plan funds to improve playability at basketball courts at Youngs Woods, basketball and tennis courts at Shaw park, pickleball courts at Memorial Park, and tennis courts at Cochran Elementary.  Work is set to begin in April.

SHUTTLE AVAILABLE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES

A cabinet manufacturer in Cressona has announced they are looking to recruit new employees  and will provide a shuttle service for those coming from Sunbury and Milton.  According to the Daily Item, St Martin America, who has been in business in this area for 10 years are recruiting finishers and assemblers, with a starting hourly pay of between $15 and $17.  The company operates one shift daily from 7am til 3:30pm.

SPORTS

P I-AA District 4 Basketball Playoffs – all games @ 7pm tonight

HS Boys Class A
Meadowbrook Christian @ Northumberland Christian
Galeton @ CowanesqueValley 
Bucktail @Sullivan County
Lourdes Regional @ Liberty
HS Girls  Class 2A
Wyalusing @ South Williamsport
Canton @ Northeast Bradford
Line Mountain @ Muncy

NHL
Flyers 4               Flames 3  
Islanders 4          Penguins 2
Bruins 3              Senators 1
Panthers 4           Ducks 3
Sharks 4              Kraken 0
Jets 4                   Rangers 1

NCAA Men’s Basketball
Kansas  63          TCU 58

NBA
Thursday this week the 76ers host the Grizzlies at 7:30 on TNT

MULTIPLE TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT KILLS ONE

State Police at Rockview are investigating Friday’s crash that involved three tractor trailers on I-80 and killed one driver.  According to North Central PA dot com, the Centre County Coroner said Galdino Negreros of Connecticut died from blunt force trauma when his truck collided with two others along I-80 eastbound  near the rest stop around 5:30am.  Police say Negreros was critically injured, but the Life Flight helicopter was unable to fly due to weather conditions, so the man wqas transported by ambulance to the hospital where he later died.  No word on the condition of the other drivers involved in the crash.

LOCK HAVEN MAN FORCES STAND-OFF WITH POLICE

A Lock Haven man who kept police engaged in an hour-long stand-off at his Renovo home, is now in custody.  According to North Central PA dot com, police saw 34 year old Ryan Duane Dunham driving on Pennsylvania Avenue in South Renovo, and tried to stop him knowing him to be a suspect with multiple arrest warrants.  Dunham fled from police and ran into his home on Ridge Road, sideswiping a police officer during the pursuit.  State police at Lamar say Dunham surrendered about an hour later without incident.  He is expected to be charged with aggravated assault and is being held under 500 thousand dollars bail at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.

WILLIAMSPORT CITY HALL LISTED

A piece of Williamsport history is now for sale. According to North central pa dot com, historic Williamsport City Hall at 245 West Fourth Street is now  listed for $499,000.  The listing with the Fish Commercial Group says the building spans 40,000 square feet with 35 parking spaces and a variety of amenities that open the property to a multitude of uses. City Council recently approved listing and has final approval over the sale of the building.

FREE ADMISSION TO SOME AREA MUSEUMS ON CHARTER DAY

Some Pennsylvania Museums along the Trails of History, including the Joseph Priestly House in Northumberland, will offer free admission on March 12^th, to celebrate Charter Day.  According to North Central PA dot com, the State Museum in Harrisburg will display the 342 year old historic Penn Charter that was granted by King Charles II to William Penn in 1681 from Friday March 10^th until Friday March 17^th and then the 342 year old document made from parchment with iron-gall ink will be re-stored in the vault under specific environmental conditions.  Get details about visiting the Penn Charter exhibit at state museum pa dot org.

TWO UNRELATED DEATHS IN SUNBURY

Local police in Sunbury are investigating the deaths of two individuals who were discovered in two unrelated incidents Saturday.  According to the Northumberland County Coroner, James Kelley, says one male individual was found Saturday morning deceased along a bench on the Susquehanna River side of the flood protection wall.  Another man was found Saturday evening in Tharptown in the Shamokin Creek.  Kelley said the autopsies for both men are scheduled for this week in Allentown, with the investigation continuing.  

FATHER OF INMATE WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE AMENDS LAWSUIT

An amended Federal lawsuit has been filed against Northumberland County and the Northumberland County jail officials. According to the Daily Item, Timothy McAndrew of Paxinos, father of Meghan McAndrew, the female inmate who took her own life while incarcerated at the Northumberland County Jail on Feb 11, said that inadequate staffing created the environment that led  to the death of his daughter. The previous lawsuit was dismissed last month by Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann saying there was a failure to state a claim and saying the lack of the proper staff fails to violate constitutional rights and state laws.

CYBER EDUCATION CURRICULUM BEING CONSIDERED

The Milton Area School District high school co-principal and cyber coordinator Michael Bergey presented a plan to create their own cyber education for district students in the fall.  According to the Daily Item, if the idea gets enough votes from School board members this week, a plan could be implemented that would use the school district’s teachers in a Milton Area School District in the cyber curriculum creation.  More discussion of the new cyber curriculum will be at the meeting scheduled for 6 pm Tuesday at the high school library.

THON RAISED RECORD AMOUNT

Penn State University’s THON Fundraiser this past weekend pulled in over 15 million dollars during their 48 hour dance-a-thon that had the participants awake and on their feet for the entire event that last year raised 13.7 million dollars for the Four Diamonds Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising money for research to help children fight cancer.  The annual celebration at the Bryce Jordan Center was the largest amount of money THON has ever raised in the history of the event.

SPORTS

P I-AA District 4 Wrestling
Class 3A District Tournament  
Shikellamy         186.5
Williamsport      167
Selinsgrove at     157
Jersey Shore       89
CMVT                 58
The Shikellamy Braves advance into next week’s P IAA 3A Northwest Regional tournament in Altoona

NASCAR
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the winner of the Daytona 500 in double OT under caution in the longest running of The Great American Race. The 65th running of the event went to a record 212 laps, technically making it the Daytona 530.
(1)Stenhouse Jr. (2) Joey Logano, (3) Christopher Bell, (4)Chris Buescher and (5)Alex Bowman.

NBA All-Star Game
Team Giannis made it to 182 first, beating Team LeBron 184 -175 .

NHL
Wild 4                 Predators 3
Senator 7             Blues 2
Avalanche 6        Oilers 5
Blackhawks 5     Maple Leafs 3  
Devils 4               Jets 2
Coyotes 3            Blue Jackets 2

NCAA Men’s Basketball
Houston 72         Memphis 64
Purdue 82           Ohio State 55
NC State 77        North Carolina 69

TROY AREA TEACHER DIES IN TWO-CAR WRECK

A 15-year teacher for Troy Area School District was killed in a two-vehicle accident last Saturday night near Mainesburg.  According to the Sun Gazette, 47 year old Christine Woodward of Troy who taught at East Troy Middle School and WR Cronan Elementary School was involved in a crash at Route 6 and Aumick Road at about 10:45 pm.  State police say the other driver, 35 year old Michael J. Brown of Troy, suffered significant injuries and was transported to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. In a statement from the school, Superintendent Dr. Janilyn Elias said Woodward was a devoted teacher who will be missed greatly and that counseling and grief support will be available to students and staff for as long as it is needed.

FEMALE INMATES BACK AT LYCOMING COUNTY PRISON

Female inmates are coming back to the Lycoming County Prison since they have been in other facilities awaiting new employees to be trained and hired to fill critical positions here. According to the Sun Gazette, during the monthly prison board meeting, Warden Brad Shoemaker mentioned his appreciation to the other county prisons that were able to take on the inmates and assist with their lack of staffing problem.  Female prisoners continue to be transferred back this week with seven full-time correctional officers hired at an increased starting wage of 20 dollars per hour with more hires expected to take place. 

RARE WHISKIES FOR SALE FROM PLCB

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will be holding a lottery this Friday for over 800 bottles of rare whiskey.  According to North Central PA dot com, PA residents can opt-in until February 17^th at 5pm on the lotteries and drawings made available online for those able to pay with an active account online at Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores and billing information on file.  Lotteries will feature bourbons from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and others. Get details at FWGS.com. Winning entrants 21 and over will be notified by email after the lotteries are complete.

SHAPIRO FULFILLS DEAL WITH KANSAS AND MISSOURI GOVERNORS

The inevitable exchange of goods between the governors of the two teams who played the Super Bowl Sunday is happening with Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.  According to Penn Live, newly elected governor of PA, Josh Shapiro was very optimistic on Twitter before the game, the Eagles loss to the Kansa City Chiefs Sunday now has the governor hanging the chief’s flag in his office at the Capitol this week.  Shapiro will also send soft pretzels from a bakery in Levittown, Cheesesteaks from Tony Luke’s in Philly, and Eagles Mini Donuts from Collegeville Italian Bakery in Montgomery County. 

MONTOURSVILLE AREA LOSES HOME IN FIRE

A couple from Upper Fairfield Township lost their home along Mountain Road in a fire Monday morning. According to the Sun Gazette, Nathan and Carissa Miller are expecting their first child in August and are now staying with relatives after the fire is suspected to be a total loss.  Nathan Miller was working at the automotive shop next door when a customer made them aware of the fire and they immediately unsuccessfully attempted to rescue their 3 year old lab named Georgia.  They then tried to keep the fire controlled with garden hoses until emergency responders arrived from Montoursville as well as companies from half a dozen other local areas. Officials say it originated in the kitchen of their home.

PHILLY TEEN ARRESTED AFTER POLICE CHASE

Police have arrested a 19 year old from Philadelphia after he led them a high speed chase through Lock Haven last Sunday while trying to elude a traffic stop.  According to the Record Online, Kasan Johnson-Townsend ran a stop sign at about 12:30pm February 5^th in Lock Haven, and police attempted to pull him over.  Police are charging Johnson-Townsend with DUI and reckless endangerment after they say he placed pedestrians in danger while he fled from law enforcement.  He will also face charges from a previous incident in February.

GOP MUST DECIDE WHETHER CONTINUE VOTER INFO APPEAL

Senate Republicans are still able to require the Department of State to turn over private voter information even though a Commonwealth Court decided last week not to enforce a subpoena that was drafted to do so in the last legislative session. According to the Sun Gazette, Thursday’s decision said the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee can enforce its own subpoenas, the attempt of which over the last year drew criticism from Senate Democrats, the Attorney General and non-profits in the state.  However, Senate Republicans will have to issue new subpoenas since a new legislative session has begun.  It’s not clear if the GOP is interested in continuing the appeal.

MILL COVE ANNOUNCES EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

After COVID shuttered the Annual Earth Day Celebration in Mill Cove for the past 3 years, the organizers of the event have announced that April’s Earth Day at Mill Cove Environmental Area will be held Saturday April 22, from 10 til 4.  The event is free and there will be free parking at Mansfield University with a shuttle bus provided to the site, showcasing an array of vendors with wares related to the natural environment. Activities like fishing, kayaking and archery will be available to try with gear and safety gear provided.  Details and free registration at mill cove inc dot org.

SPORTS

HS Girls Basketball
Southern Columbia 42        Shikellamy 31
Northumberland Christian 63 Nativity BVM 42
Wellsboro 42                        Athens 33
Mifflinburg 30                      Selinsgrove 28
Cowanesque Valley 46       Williamson 37
Wyalusing 56                        Sullivan County 48

HS Boys Basketball
Milton 80                               Midd-West 56
Shamokin 57                         Danville 48
St. John Neumann 96           Bucktail 54
Central Columbia 58           Hughesville 42
Canton 56                              Montgomery 25
Warrior Run 45                    Lewisburg 41
Wellsboro 55                        Northeast Bradford 25
Southern Columbia 60        Shikellamy 54
Bald Eagle Area 65              Jersey Shore 43
NBA
76ers 123             Rockets 104
Hornets 144         Hawks 138
Cavaliers 117       Spurs 109
Jazz 123               Pacers 117
Nuggets 112         Heat 108
Knicks 124                    Nets 106
Magic 100            Bulls 91
Pelicans 103         Thunder 100
Timberwolves 124 Mavericks 121
Warriors 135        Wizards 126
Trailblazers 127   Lakers 115
NHL
Senators 4            Flames 3
Panthers 2            Wild 1
Coyotes 4             Predators 2
Redwing 6            Canucks 1
Kings 5                 Sabers 2

NCAA Men’s Basketball
Texas Tech 74      Texas 67
Baylor 79             West Virginia 67
Miami 80              North Carolina 72

ICY CONDITIONS SHUT DOWN 220 THURSDAY

Picture Rocks fire crews responded to the icy conditions yesterday morning on Route 220 from Beaver Lake Road in Wolf Township to Route 42 in Muncy Valley and shut down the roadway for about two hours.  According to the Sun Gazette, about 30 cars spun out on the icy roadway north of Glen Mawr early Thursday morning with two separate accidents where one car went into a ditch and another went over an embankment on the winding road. Three other vehicles were damaged needing to be towed from the scene.  PennDOT salted the roadway improving conditions enough to reopen 220 just after 8am.

MUNCY TOWNSHIP SECRETARY SUDDENLY RESIGNS

The Muncy Township secretary has suddenly resigned this week after an exchange at the regular Muncy Township Supervisors meeting that brought several issues of bookkeeping, spending and whether it was even necessary to raise taxes to light.  According to the Sun Gazette, Gwen Pidcoe was hit with several accusations, which drove her to announce her resignation and leave the meeting.  A resident who is a retired CPA spoke to the board and said he didn’t want Pidcoe, who oversees the township finances to quit, but later advised the township to hire a part-time treasurer to take care of poor bookkeeping and inaccurate numbers that he noticed being recorded.

WILLIAMSPORT MAN FLED ACCIDENT FOLLOWING HIGH SPEED CHASE

A 35 year old Williamsport man has now been charged for felony fleeing after he took Pennsylvania State troopers through Williamsport on a high speed pursuit last April that began near Kramer Court and Center and ended in a crash at Hawthorne Avenue.  According to the Sun Gazette, Tyren Teageus-Landis crashed a 2011 Ford Escape into a utility pole and fled on foot.  Police searched the car and found the registration on the car expired and recovered 4.3 grams of cocaine from the vehicle as well.  He was recently held for court on the fleeing charge along with reckless endangerment and summary offenses for driving with a suspended license and is in jail in lieu of 50 thousand dollars bail.

OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

County-funded Skills of Central PA’s Summer Employment Program is seeking students with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are looking to transition into the work-force.  According to the Lock Haven Express, the program that runs in July and August is for students 14-21 who are transitioning out of high school and have a case open with the Lycoming Clinton Joinder Office.  Skills is one of the largest human service providers in central Pennsylvania, offering services in 17 counties and employing approximately 1,000 people in professional, clinical and direct support roles.  Get details skillsofcentralpa.org.

FORMER EVENT STAFF CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON JUVENILE

Police have charged a former Jersey Shore Area School District event staff employee with assault and strangulation after he was seen tackling a juvenile and putting him in a choke hold at a basketball game on January 31^st.  According to  North Cetnral PA dot com, 61 year old Frederick Packard had called 911 when the juvenile was asked to leave the gym for swearing and refused, later running for the door and being pursued and held on the ground by Packard.  Lycoming Regional Police came to the school and escorted the teen off the property.  Packard is no longer employed by the school and has a preliminary hearing February 23^rd.

WOMAN WHO ABANDONED DOG CHARGED WITH FELONY

The woman who abandoned a German Shepherd in a locked crate in the parking lot of a Loyalsock Township business last Friday night in frigid temperatures has been charged with felony animal cruelty.  According to Pennsylvania State police, following an investigation, it was determined that the owner of the dog, that appeared malnourished and uncared-for was 24 year old Miranda Waldman of Williamsport.  Police at Montoursville carried out interviews with Waldman at the police barracks where they said she admitted to being the owner of the dog and leaving it behind.

TWO MEN IN ACCIDENT FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP

Two people suffered minor injuries and the driver of the vehicle charged after an accident where they fled from police earlier this week.  According to the Lock Haven Express, 19 year old Robert Devaul of North Bend crashed  a Ford F-250 Supercab truck  following his flight from a traffic stop at Haagen Lane and Meadow Lane in Beech Creek Township.  After the wreck, emergency crews treated the two suspects at the scene for minor injuries, and State police at Lamar took Devaul, who said he ran because of his suspended license, into custody.

CLINTON COUNTY RACING SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

A tentative schedule has been released by the Clinton County Fair association for the 2023 racing season which marks the 1/3 mile oval’s 35^th anniversary year.  According to North Central PA dot com, there will be two 410 Sprint Car events this July and August headlining the track’s special anniversary event with the season beginning April 16^th.  New events for 2023 include the Appalachian Mountains Super Late Model Series and The Hyper Racing 600 Speedweek in June and July.  Tickets are on sale until today for the annual Awards banquet February 25^th  at the Sugar Valley Volunteer Fire Company facility in Loganton.

SPORTS

High School Wrestling 

PIAA Team Championships in Hershey 

Double A – Round 1

Berks Catholic 38

Canton 15

Fort Leboeuf 33

Warrior Run 24 

Triple A – Round 1

Waynesburg Central 32

Shikellamy 27

Central Mountain 36

Cumberland Valley 29

Central Mountain takes on Hempfield Area in the quarterfinals this afternoon (FRI) at 2. 

Boys Basketball
Williamsport 72             Danville 51
Northwest 62                 Hughesville 43
St John Neumann 83     Jersey shore 47
Milton 57                       Warrior Run 56
N. Penn Mansfield 60    Athens 59
Nativity BVM 95                    Southern Columbia 86
Girls Basketball
Jersey Shore 45             Selinsgrove 22
Central Columbia 46     Loyalsock 42
Shamokin 55                 Warrior Run 37
Meadowbrook Christian 41 Millville 28

NBA
Magic 115            Nuggets 104
Hawks 116                    Suns 107
Nets 116               Bulls 105
Bucks 115            Lakers 106
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Purdue 87             Iowa 73  
Arizona 85           California 62  
UCLA 62             Oregon State 47
Loyola Marymount 78 Saint Mary’s 74
Gonzaga 99                    San Francisco 81

NHL  
Flyers 2                Oilers 1
Red Wings 2         Flames 1
Panthers 4            Sharks 1
Devils 3                Kracken 1
Lightning 5                    Avalanche 0  
Canucks 6            Islanders 5
Golden Knights 5           Wild 1

NFL
Super Bowl 57
Chiefs and Eagles in Glendale AZ Sunday at 6:30 on FOX
NFL News
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the clear winner of the Associated Press’ Most Valuable Player award last night at the NFL Honors program with 48 of 50 first-place votes – the other two went to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

It’s the second MVP award of Mahomes’ six-year career, making him the 10th player ever to win the award twice. 

SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT YIELDS NO INJURIES

East and west bound I-180 dealt with lane closures after a Muncy School District bus and a Chevy Malibu were involved in an accident yesterday afternoon around 2:40pm.  There were less than a dozen students on the bus, and each one was evaluated at the scene by emergency personnel and each released to their parents who picked them up at the accident scene, no serious injuries were reported.  The driver of the Chevy was taken to UPMC Williamsport with moderate injuries.  Westbound traffic went down to one lane and eastbound traffic was rerouted as they cleaned up mud and debris from where the bus landed in the median following the crash.  All lanes of I-180 were re-opened by 4pm.

MORE CHARGES FOR COUPLE WHO STOLE DECORATIONS

The couple who were charged with stealing blow mold Christmas decorations are facing more charges after they were originally implicated in decoration thefts at other properties in the city last November.  According to the Sun Gazette, 34 year old Christopher Fraunfelter and 40 year old Lane Sarcinella of South Williamsport were charged with another misdemeanor after police say they had decorations from another home on Grant Street that were also recovered during the investigation.  Fraunfelter and Sarcinella were arraigned and released on bail.

FATHER OF MURDER SUSPECT TO FACE TRIAL

The father of a murder suspect in Sunbury who was arrested for shooting and killing 30-year-old Kareem Jakes in a Sunbury convenience store, will face trial in May for hindering the investigation.  According to the Daily Item Ajani Munsh Uche Uhuru  tried to conceal a vehicle his son had used after he fled the shooting at the Penn Jersey Mart last spring.  Northumberland County President Judge Paige Rosini set a trial for the elder Uhuru May 19^th.  The younger Uhuru who is jailed without bail, was in court last week and is awaiting a decision about whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the homicide charges.

NO ICE FOR THE TOBOGGAN SLIDE AGAIN THIS YEAR

The Eagles Mere toboggan slide has officially been canceled due to warm temperatures and lack of ice. An announcement on the event media page, eaglesmeretobogganslide.com, was posted Sunday.  According to Penn Live, the last time the race was run was in 2014, with COVID shutting the race down in 2021 and 2022 – but even with the pandemic, officials say the ice wasn’t thick enough to operate the slide.  The event is traditionally a fundraiser for the local fire companies in the region.

CRASH ON 220 IN FRONT OF HENRY’S BBQ

There was an accident in the northbound lanes of Route 220 yesterday in front of Henry’s BBQ just before 6pm.  According to the Sun Gazette, it was a two car accident and three people were injured in the wreck, each of which was taken by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport, their cars suffered minor damage.  According to Woodward Township Fire officials both lanes of 220 north were shut down for about 30 minutes, with one lane reopening around 6:30pm.

POTTER COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH STRANGLING A CHILD

A man from Port Allegheny who police say strangled a child and intimidated witnesses about it last August, has been arrested.  According to North Central PA dot com, while driving along Route 6 near Creek Side Lane witnesses say Darren Connelly allegedly grabbed a child by the throat and pushed his face into the car  seat, smothering him.  During an interview with police, Connelly’s wife she told officers that she was intimidated by her husband to not speak the truth about witnessing the strangulation.  Connelly was charged with first-degree aggravated assault, strangulation, endangering the welfare of children, witness intimidation and other charges.  He is in the Potter County prison on 25 thousand dollars bail.

LANE RESTRTICTIONS IN MILTON TODAY

PennDOT will have a lane restriction in place in Milton today. According to a press release, a PennDOT crew will be inspecting the bridges that span the west branch of the Susquehanna River on Route 642. Motorists can expect alternating lane closures with flagging where work is being performed. Work will be done between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., weather permitting.

MANDELA’S GRANDSON TO SPEAK IN BLOOMSBURG

Nelson Mandela’s grandson will be the guest speaker at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg’s 30th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative program next month.  Ndaba Mandela is the co-founder and chairman of the Africa Rising Foundation aiming to publicize a positive image of Africato to the world at large.  With his tour, Mandela hopes to show the world that his grandfather’s voice and message of freedom still ring true.  The program is sponsored by Bloomsburg’s Multicultural Center and will be at 6 p.m. in Carver Hall’s Gross Auditorium on Monday, February 6th.

SPORTS

PIAA District 4
Boys Basketball
Montgomery 63                                Williamson 35
Lewisburg 73                                    Southern Columbia 68 (OT)
Northumberland Christian 61           Benton 31
Selinsgrove 65                                  Berwick 56

Girls Basketball
Sayre 27                                  North Penn-Mansfield 25
St. John Neumann 56              Midd-West 24
Mifflinburg 37                         Milton 25
Bloomsburg 67                        Northeast Bradford 51
Bucktail 42                              Juniata Christian 29
Jersey Shore 58                       Towanda 43
Williamsport 44                      Montoursville 22
Mifflin County 69                             Selinsgrove 29

NBA
Magic 119           76ers 109
Nets 121              Lakers 104
Kings 118           Timberwolves 111  
Warriors 128      Thunder 120
Wizards 127       Spurs 106
Mavericks 111   Pistons 105
Suns 114             Raptors 106
Trailblazers 129 Hawks 125
NHL
Jets 4          Blues 2
NCAA Men’s Basketball
Virginia 67         Syracuse 62
Texas 76             Baylor 71
Texas Tech 80    Iowa State 77